12th Anniversary of Flying Without Arms

Today marks the 12th anniversary of my first solo flight. I remember it like it was yesterday. That was the day my life changed. I had always known it, but on that day, I proved it—I was the pilot in command of my life, and nothing is impossible for me. 

It is a powerful idea—to know that you are in charge of your life. Often, we feel more like passengers on a course we didn’t even sign up for. You ask yourself, how did I get here and how do I switch directions? 

I want to share with you some tips on how to gain the essential tool for success—being in control of your life. 

Take charge! You are the pilot in command of your life. 

I want you to know that you already have the power you seek. It is in you. Maybe you lost sight of it when you failed at some important attempt, or you gave it over to the voice of someone who said you couldn’t make it. I tell you now that you can regain it. 

I had quite an eventful solo flight, which made the day even more memorable. Just before I was to take off, my flight instructor reminded me, “Make sure you can hear me on the radio and stay in contact with me.” I tested out the radios and responded, “Loud and clear!” 

With the radios working, or so I thought, I taxied to the end of the runway alone in the airplane. I powered up the engine and raced down the runway. And then I was flying! All by myself! I was focused on the horizon when suddenly, I heard static on the radio. I started to panic when I heard a faint, broken up voice with static. I knew it was my instructor trying to communicate with me. I thought, “this cannot be happening to me” I pressed down on the push to talk switch and said, “Sorry, I can’t hear you!” 

My thoughts began to race with what could happen, and there was no one to help me not even my flight instructor. This was the moment I could live or die. And then the words my instructor told me a million times before came to me. He always said, “Just fly the airplane! Everything else is second.” 

I snapped out of panic mode and reminded myself, “I am pilot in command of this airplane.” After one go-round, I came in with a beautiful landing! 

Rarely in life do things go entirely the way we want them to. When I lost radio communication with the ground, that minor mishap could have spiraled into more problems if I let my panic overwhelm me. In the same way, you will have moments in your life that can cause you to doubt your abilities. Don’t let your faith in yourself waiver. You have what it takes, and only you can steer your life towards the direction of your dreams. 

 You are pilot in command of your life!

I am Jessica Cox, the first and only armless person in the world certified to fly an airplane. I am an international motivational speaker and life coach. Would you like some weekly motivation to kick off you Monday? Sign up to get free emails at http://www.possiblethinking.com/mn